Amputee Pistorius appeals against Olympic ban

South African double amputee Oscar Pistorius has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his ban from running at this year's Beijing Olympics with artificial limbs.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) ruled last month that Pistorius could not compete against able-bodied athletes because carbon-fibre blades attached to his legs gave him an unfair advantage.

"I am filing this appeal not just for myself but for all disabled athletes. We deserve a chance to compete at the highest levels if our bodies permit us to do so," Pistorius said in a statement.

Pistorius, 21, had both legs amputated between his knees and ankles at the age of 11 months after he was born without fibula bones.

He has argued that the IAAF tests on his prosthetics were inadequate and said they did not give him an advantage over other athletes. However, a report commissioned by the IAAF concluded that the prosthetics used by Pistorius gave him a significant advantage.